Mechanical banjo head tighteners



Nov. 2, 1965 J. A. o. SLOAN 3,215,019

MECHANICAL BANJO HEAD TIGHTENERS Filed July 12, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 2, 1965 J. A. 0. SLOAN 3,215,019

MECHANICAL BANJO HEAD TIGHTENERS Filed July 12, .1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7.

INVENTOR. 505 uofl/v A7. 0. sum/w United States Patent 3,215,019 MECHANICAL BANJO HEAD TIGHTENERS John A. O. Sloan, 273 Maple Ave.,

South Chicago Heights, Ill. Filed July 12, 1963, Ser. No. 294,486 20 Claims. (Cl. 84-269) This invention relates to novel mechanical banjo head tighteners, which are capable of being incorporated also in drums and the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of practical, efficient, easily installed, easily operated devices of the kind indicated, which in a single manual operation produces uniform tightening or loosening of the vellum of a banjo or other related musical instrument, which tightening and loosening operations correspondingly retunes the strings of the instrument and loosens the strings for storage of the instrument, respectively.

Another object of the invention is the provision of devices of the character indicated above, wherein replacement of vellums is a simple and quick operation involving only loosening and elevation of its pull-down ring for removal of a vellum, and replacing and tightening down of the pull-down ring on a new vellum.

A further object of the invention is the provision of devices of the character indicated above, wherein the pulldown ring is held down in place by means of cords of nylon or equivalent material of limited stretchability, which act to give the vellum enhanced elasticity and therefore wider amplitudes of vibrations, resulting in better response and tonal quality, and to protect the vellum against splitting due to variances in its tautness produced by changes in temperature and humidity.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, specific forms of the invention are set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a banjo incorporating a device of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged exploded and fragmentary perspective view showing the means for securing a cord to the pull-down ring;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away and in section of another form of device of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a view like FIGURE 5 of a further form of device of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of FIG- URE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of an assembly composed of a pull-down ring and integral cords; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a drum head or vellum having integral cords.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and first to FIG- URES 1 to 4 thereof, the device therein shown comprises an annular banjo casing 14.having a uniform thickness side wall 16, to which is radially fixed a neck 18, the neck having a longitudinal extension 20 extending through an opening 22, in the side wall 16, above the lower edge 24 thereof. The inner end of the extension 20 abuts the adjacent side of an upstanding lug 26 located at the adjacent side of a hub 28, and is secured to the lug, as by means of screws 30. I

The hub 28 is preferably integral with and rises from the central part 32 of a spider 34 having three equally spaced radial legs 36. The outer ends of the legs 36 are fixed, as by means of screws 38 to the casing side wall 16, at the lower edge thereof. It is to be noted that the invention contemplates making the sidewall 16 and the spider 34 of wood, or casting the same integral of lightweight metal, such as aluminum.

The hub 28 is formed with a perpendicular smooth bore 40, which opens, at its lower end into a counterbore 42. A rotary shaft 44 is engaged in the bore 40 and has an enlarged head 46 engaged in the counterbore 42, the latter being formed with an axial polygon recess 48 adapted to receive a suitable implement for rotating the shaft 44.

Above the hub 28, the shaft 44 has a squared extension 50, on which a ratchet wheel 52 is non-rotatably engaged. A flanged drum 54 is non-rotatably engaged on the extension 50 above and bears upon the ratchet wheel, and is held down in place, as by means of a cross pin 56 extending through the extension. The hub 28 has a horizontal lateral lug 58, at its upper end, on which is pivoted, as indicated at 60, a ratchet pawl 62, having a pointed nose 64 which is engaged between teeth of the ratchet wheel by a spring 66, secured to the lug 58 and bearing against the outer side of the pawl, whereby the drum 54 can be rotated only in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 3. I

A multiplicity of cords 68, in this instance in the form of flat tapes are secured to and wound around the drum 54, and extend horizontally and outwardly therefrom, in equally spaced relationships. The cords 68 are preferably of nylon or other similarly suitable material of limited stretchability, not affected by changes in temperature and humidity, which characteristic enables the cords to compensate for changes in the tautness of a drum head or vellum, due to changes in temperature and humidity, which the cords serve to tension.

The cords 68 slide through equally circumferentially spaced, preferably plastic grommets 70, secured in holes 72, formed in the casing sidewall 16, at a midheight point thereof. The grommets 70 have enlarged heads 74, on their outer ends, which abut the outer surface of the sidewall. These heads, as shown in FIGURE 2., have rounded, enlarged diameter openings 76, communicating with the bores 78 of grommets, which provide rounded friction-reducing surfaces contacted by the cords 68.

The cords 68 have wedges 80, on their outer or upper ends, which are adapted to be engaged downwardly in downwardly tapering openings 82 in a pull-down ring 90, whereby the cords are operatively connected to this ring.

As shown in FIGURE 4, in another arrangement, on their outer ends, the cords 68a are formed with return bends 80a which serve as retaining wedges when downwardly engaged in vertical tubular and downwardly tapered receivers 82a on the inward side-s and at the lower ends of vertically elongated flat shanks 84a which have inwardly and downwardly curved hooks 8611, on their upper ends. The hooks 86a areadapted to engage in an annular gr-oove88a, provided in the top of a pulldown ring 90a.

A laterally outwardly opening channel-shaped metal tone ring 92 has a vertical web 94, a lower flange 96, secured upon the upper edge of the casing sidewall 16, and an upper flange 98. The upper flange 98 has an upstanding cylindrical bead 100, at its outer edge.

A head or vellum 102, larger in diameter than the tone ring 92, is stretched thereacross and has a pendant peripheral portion 104, having an outstanding cylindrical rib 106, at its lower edge, on which the pull-down ring 92 bears. The vellum 102, when made taut, bears only upon the bead 100.

' A bridge 108 rests upon the vellum 102, and is overlaid by strings 110, which are connected to a tail-piece 112, having a hook 114, on one end, which is engaged around and under the pull-down ring 90.

With the above described arrangement, the vellum is adapted to be tightened by rotating the shaft 44, by means of a suitable implement (not shown) until the desired degree of tautness of the vellum is obtained, by the resultant uniform effective shortening of the cords,

, and accompanying downward movement of the pulldown ring. This downward movement of the pull-down ring 90 is transmitted, through the hook 144 and the tail-piece 112, so that the strings 110 are at the same time tightened to the same degree. This makes it possible to manually tune the strings 110, while the vellum is in a normal tightened condition, and then relax the vellum, as for storage of the banjo, and at a later time retighten the vellum and simultaneously retune the strings, simply by rotating the shaft 44. Relaxing of the tightness of the vellum and of the strings is done simply by reaching through the spider 34 and manually retracting the ratchet pawl 62 from the ratchet wheel 52, and permitting the drum 54 to rotate in reverse direction.

The above described arrangement also makes removal and replacement of the vellum 102 quick and easy, by simply relaxing the cords 68, lifting the pull-down ring 90 off the rib of the vellum, and removing the vellum from the tone ring 92; and reversing these operations in installing a new vellum.

Another device of the present invention, shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, comprises an annular casing 14b, similar to that of FIGURES 1 to 3, but the remaining components are different. A tone ring 92b is of angle iron shape, having a horizontal flange 96b secured upon the upper edge of the casing sidewall 16b, and a vertical flange 94b, upon whose upper edge is fixed a cylindrical bead 100b, upon which a vellum 102b, similar to that of FIGURES 1 to 3, bears.

A pull-down ring 90b, similar to that shown in FIG- URE 4, is used, in conjunction with cords 68b similar to those of FIGURE 4.

A spider 34b having four equally spaced radial legs 36b extends across the casing 14b and its legs are secured to the sidewall 16b at the lower edge thereof.

A perpendicular, centered hub 28b rises from the circular center 32b of the spider 34b, and is formed with an axial threaded bore 40b, in which is threaded a rotary shaft 44b having, in its lower end, a polygonal recess 48b, in which a suitable implement (not shown) is adapted to be engaged, for rotating the shaft 44b.

The threaded shaft 44b has a reduced diameter cylindrical axial boss 50b, on its upper end, on which is rotatably engaged a circular wheel 54b. The wheel 54b is formed, near its peripheral edge, with a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced holes 52b, corresponding in number to the number of cords 68b involved.

The center 32b of the spider 34b is formed with a ring of equally circumferentially spaced, circumferentially elongated :slots 62b, the ring of slots 62b being vertically aligned with the ring of holes 52b of the wheel 54b.

The lower edge 24b of the casing sidewall 16b is formed with a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced notches 70b, eorresponidng in number to the number of cords 68b involved, through which the cords are slidably engaged and from which the cords extend inwardly and horizontally to the spider center piece 32b. The outer ends of the bottoms of the notches 70b are rounded, as inidcated at 76b, to reduce frictional engagements of the cords.

The cords 68b pass upwardly through related ones of the spider slots 62b, and upwardly through related ones of the wheel holes 52b, and have enlargements b, on their upper ends, which bear securably upon the upper surfaces of the wheel 54b.

Tightening of the vellum 10212 is accomplished by rotating the threaded shaft 44b in a direction to move the shaft upwardly. Rotation of the shaft 44b, in a direction to elevate the same, produces effective shortening of the cords 68b, accompanied by downward movement of the pull-down ring b, relative to the bead 10% of the tone ring 92b, which serves to tighten the vellum on the last.

To loosen the vellum 102b froma taut condition, the shaft 44b is rotated in a direction to move the same, and hence the wheel 54b downwardly.

The vellum 102b is easily and quickly removed and replaced, simply by relaxing the cords 68b, in the manner described, lifting the pull-down ring 90 off the rib 106b of the vellum, and lifting off the vellum, the reverse of these operations being performed to install another vellum.

A further form of device of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 7 to 9, and comprises an annular casing 140, generally similar to those hereinabove described, whose sidewall 16c is surmounted by a tone ring 92c, similar to that of FIGURES 5 and 6, and has a pull-down ring 900, similar to that shown in FIG- URES l to 3, and connections of cord 68c thereto, like those of FIGURES 1 to 3.

The cords 68c pass downwardly from the pull-down ring 90 and are trained under pulleys 766, located in notches 700, formed in the lower edge 24c of the casing sidewall 16c.

A spider 340 having four radial legs 36c is secured to the sidewall 16c, at the lower edge thereof, and has an upwardly offset center piece 320.

The extension 20 of the neck 180 of the banjo abuts a standard 260 on the adjacent side of the center piece 320.

The center piece 32c, as shown in FIGURE 9, is formed with a central vertical bore 40c, in which a rotary shaft 44c is engaged, and is held up in place, as by means of a cross piece 56c, which bears upon a washer 57c engaged with the upper surface of the center piece. A counter-bore 42c is formed at the lower end of the bore 40c, which receives a lock nut 41c, threaded, as indicated at 430, on the shaft 44c.

The shaft 440 has an enlarged diameter downwardly extending extension 500, having an enlarged diameter head 460, on its lower end. Keyed on the extension 50c, between the lock nut 41c and the head 460, is a drum assembly 540, and above the assembly 540, an enlarged diameter ratchet wheel 52c. A ratchet pawl 62c, is pivoted, as indicated at 60c, on the underside of the spider center piece 32c and has a pointed nose 64c engaged between adjacent teeth of the ratchet wheel, by means of a spring 66c, whereby retrograde rotation of the ratchet wheel is normally precluded.

The ratchet wheel 520 has, on its underside, a V-shaped ring 116, smaller in diameter than an upper small diameter clamping disc 118, which engages in a conformably shaped V-shaped groove 120, in the upper side of the disc 118. The disc 118 has a similar groove 122, in its underside.

An upper larger diameter disc 124 underlies the small upper disc 118 and is formed with an upstanding V-shaped ring 126 which conformably engages in the groove 122 of the disc 118. The disc 124 has a similar ring 128 on its underside, which conformably engages in a V-shaped groove 130 in the upper side of a lower small clamping disc 132, which is similar in size to the upper small disc 118.

The lower small disc 132 has a similar groove 134, on its underside, which conformably receives a V-shaped ring 136 on the upper side of a lower larger diameter disc 138.

The inner ends of the cords 68c are inserted between engaged rings and grooves of the clamping discs, from top to bottom, and at points equally circumferentially spaced around the assembly 540, as shown in FIG- URES 7 to 9, with the cords chordally arranged relative to this assembly, as shown in FIGURE 8, with the lock nut 41c backed off, and the lock nut then tightened.

The shaft extension 500 has a polygonal recess 480, in its lower end adapted to receive a suitable implement (not shown) for rotating the shaft 440, and hence the drum assembly 54c, in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 8, whereby the cords 68c are wound around the drum assembly and thereby effectively shortened, and caused to pull the pull-down ring 900 downwardly and tighten the vellum 102e, on the tone ring bead 1000. The same ease and speed of replacement of the vellum 1020, described hereinabove, obtains with the device of FIGURES 7 to 9.

In FIGURE 10 is shown an assembly 140 of pulldown ring 90d and integral cords 68d fixed to the underside thereof. This assembly is devised for optional replacement of the related assembly disclosed in FIGURES 1 to 9.

In FIGURE 11 is shown an assembly 142 of a vellum 102e and cords 68c, attached to the lower edge of a pendant peripheral flange 142. This assembly is also devised to replace the related components disclosed in FIGURES 1 to 9.

Although there have been shown and described preferred forms of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords.

2. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular head, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said connecting means comprising an outstanding rib on the peripheral portion of the vellum, a pull-down ring surrounding said peripheral portion and bearing upon said rib, the cords being directly connected to the pulldown ring.

3. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular head, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said connecting means comprising an outstanding rib on the peripheral portion of the vellum, a pull-down ring surrounding said peripheral portion and bearing upon said rib, the cords being directly connected to the pull-down ring, said cords being integrally connected to the lower end of the pull-down ring.

4. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cords being integrally connected to the lower edge of the peripheral portion of the vellum.

5. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cords being of material resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and of limited stretchability, and serving to compensate for changes in the tautness of the vellum produced therein by changes in temperature and humidity.

6. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular head, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cords being of material resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and of limited stretchability, and serving to compensate for changes in the tautness of the vellum produced therein by changes in temperature and humidity, the material of the cords being nylon.

7. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said head and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cords being of material resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and of limited stretchability, and serving to compensate for changes in the tautness of the vellum produced therein by changes in temperature and humidity, the material of the cords being nylon, the cords being flat tapes.

8. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said head and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cords being of material resistant to changes in temperature and humidity and of limited stretchability, and serving to compensate for changes in the tautness of the vellum produced therein by changes in temperature and humidity, the material of the cords being nylon, the cords being round.

9. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ringsecured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular head, a vellum larger in diameter than said head and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a member rotatably mounted on the center piece of the spider, an element to which said other ends of the cords are connected, and means operatively connecting the member and the element and adapted to move the element in a direction relative to the center piece.

10. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular head, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a member rotatably mounted on the center piece of the spider, an element to which said other ends of the cords are connected, and means operatively connecting the member and the element and adapted to move the element in a direction relative to the center piece, and ratchet means mounted on the center piece for preventing retrograde rotation of said member.

11. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction.

12. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular head, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said extension being on the upper end of the shaft, the cords being secured to and Wound around the drum means, said drum means being a flanged drum.

13. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft 1n one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said extension being on the upper end of the shaft, the cords being secured to and wound around the drum means, said drum means being a flanged drum, and grommets extending through the casing sidewall through which the cords run.

In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprlsmg a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below 1ts upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral port1on, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said shaft being threadably journaled through the spider center piece, said extension extending upwardly from the shaft and being 9 smaller in diameter than the shaft, said drum means comprising a wheel supportably journaled on the extension, said wheel having a ring of holes around its peripheral edge, said center piece having a ring of circumferentially elongated slots concentric with the ring of holes, the cords being individually passed upwardly through the slots and secured in the holes.

15. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said shaft being threadably journaled through the spider center piece, said extension extending upwardly from the shaft and being smaller in diameter than the shaft, said drum means comprising a wheel supportably journaled on the extension, said wheel having a ring of holes around its peripheral edge, said center piece having a ring of circumferentially elongated slots concentric with the ring of holes, the cords being individually passed upwardly through the slots and secured in the holes, said sidewall having circumferentially spaced slots in its lower edge through which the cords are slidably engaged.

16. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said drum means non-rotatably mounted on the shaft extension, said extension having an enlarged head on its outer end and having a lock nut threaded thereon, said drum means comprising a plurality of superimposed discs on the extension between the head and the lock nut, adjacent discs having facing sides severally provided with interengaged outstanding rings and grooves, ends of the cords being inserted between adjacent discs and securably deformed by interengaged rings annd grooves.

17. In -a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said drum means non-rotatably mounted on the shaft extension, said extension having an enlarged head on its outer end and having a lock nut threaded thereon, said drum means comprising a plurality of superimposed discs on the extension between the head and the lock nut, adjacent discs having facing sides severally provided with interengaged outstanding rings and grooves, ends of the cords being inserted between adjacent discs and securably deformed by interengaged rings and grooves, at points equally circumferentially spaced around the discs.

18. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said head and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant pcripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and the cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said cord shortening means comprising a vertical shaft journaled through the center piece and having an axial extension on one end thereof, ratchet means mounted on the center piece and operatively connected to the shaft for preventing rotation of the shaft in one direction, drum means mounted on said extension to which the cords are connected, and means for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction, said drum means non-rotatably mounted on the shaft extension, said extension having an enlarged head on its outer end and having a lock nut threaded thereon, said drum means comprising a plurality of superimposed discs on the extension between the head and the lock nut, adjacent discs having facing sides severally provided with interengaged outstanding rings and grooves, ends of the cords being inserted between adjacent discs and securably deformed by interengaged rings and grooves at points equally circum ferentially spaced around the discs, the sidewall of the casing having equally circumferentially spaced notches in its lower edge, and pulleys mounted in the notches under which the cords are individually trained.

19. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece, a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said head and stretched thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said pull-down ring having circurnferentially spaced vertical tapered holes therein, the cords having tapered elements on their ends engaged downwardly in said holes.

20. In a musical instrument, an annular casing comprising a sidewall having upper and lower edges, a spider extending across the casing and secured to the sidewall below its upper edge, said spider having a center piece,

1 1 a tone ring secured to the sidewall at the upper edge of the sidewall, said tone ring having an upstanding annular bead, a vellum larger in diameter than said bead and stretched ,thereacross, said vellum having a pendant peripheral portion, equally circumferentially spaced 5 cords, means connecting the cords at one end to said peripheral portion, and cord shortening means mounted on the center piece of the spider and operatively connected to the other ends of the cords, said pull-down ring being formed with an annular groove in its top, and said cords having hooks engaged in said groove.

No references cited.

LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, AN ANNULAR CASING COMPRISING A SIDEWALL HAVING UPPER AND LOWER EDGES, A SPIDER EXTENDING ACROSS THE CASING AND SECURIED TO THE SIDEWALL BELOW ITS UPPER EDGE, SAID SPIDER HAVING A CENTER PIECE, A TONE RING SECURED TO THE SIDEWALL AT THE UPPER EDGE OF THE SIDEWALL, SAID TONE RING HAVING AN UPSTANDING ANNULAR BEAD, A VELLUM LARGER IN DIAMETER THAN SAID BEAD AND STRETCHED THEREACROSS, SAID VELLUM HAVING A PENDANT PERIPHERAL PORTION EQUALLY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED CORDS, MEANS CONNECTING THE CORDS AT ONE END OF SAID PERIPHERAL PORTION, AND CORD SHORTENING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CENTER PIECE OF THE SPIDER AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER ENDS OF THE CORDS. 